United States Offers Support to Indonesians Affected by Flooding In Jakarta

Jakarta – On January 18, following the Indonesian government’s declaration of an emergency, U.S. Ambassador Scot A. Marciel offered U.S. assistance in response to the severe flooding in and around Jakarta. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, will provide $150,000 to support the humanitarian relief efforts of the Indonesian government and assist those affected in close coordination with the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and local leaders. In cooperation with Mercy Corps, Save the Children and World Vision, the United States support will be used for local procurement and distribution of emergency relief supplies, including materials for flood clean-up activities that will enable affected people to return home.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to those affected by the terrible flooding in and around Jakarta. While the situation has affected thousands of people, I have been heartened by the selfless response of so many Indonesians to assist their fellow citizens, and by the hard work and dedication of the Indonesian disaster response officials, police and military. With the impact of Super Storm Sandy in the United States fresh in the minds of the American people, we appreciate the difficult challenges now facing Indonesians, and we are pleased to help,” Ambassador Marciel said.

On January 17, the governor of Jakarta declared a state of emergency in the capital, which is expected to remain in effect through January 27. The BNPB is leading the response and providing temporary shelter, food, and relief items to populations residing in evacuation centers, as well as support for post-flood clean-up efforts. The U.S. Embassy is working closely with the BNPB and Jakarta authorities to support the on-going disaster response efforts.

The United States Government has worked in close cooperation with Indonesia to prepare and respond to natural disasters. In the last decade USAID has helped respond to flooding in Ambon in 2012, the eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010, the 2009 Padang earthquake, the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake and the 2004 tsunami in Aceh.